CAT SM2 Magnet Red Dot - Part 2

After our first part of the review - HERE - we finally made it to the shooting range with the CAT SM2 Magnet Red Dot. The main goal of our little trip was to find out if the Zero holds when it is removed in the middle. In our short video we tried to show you that.

Here, the CAT SM2 Magnet Red Dot in comparison to a HOLOSUN EPS on a G17 MOS. The CAT is slightly taller overall, but not excessively high.

The 3 MOA red dot is clearly visible. Thanks to the large window, you don't lose sight of the dot so quickly, or can easily find it again.

Here's the dot at maximum brightness against a bright target in direct sunlight. The dot is clearly visible in real life, and still recognizable in the photo.

The included Allen key is used to adjust the red dot and also serves as a safety feature to ensure that the CAT SM2 cannot come loose.

But we wanted to test it and conducted all tests without the Allen key. The CAT SM2 held up very well, except for one single time.

Fortunately, we were able to capture this moment on film. While reloading, we somehow managed to hit the red dot in a way that it detached from the slide and flew off. In the video, you can see it at minute 1:12. Prior to that, we repeatedly cycled the slide by applying pressure to the CAT SM2, without anything coming loose. We could not reproduce this situation afterwards. So it's better to use the Allen key as an additional safety measure.

Does the Zero hold?

The test setup was quite simple. Shoot at four 2.5 cm (1 inch) targets in a row at five meters. First, shoot at the top, then shoot again at the bottom. The CAT SM2 Magnet Red Dot is removed and reattached in between. In the video, you can see the whole procedure. Let's just say, we've shot better before, but if you don't shoot for 6 months, the shot pattern looks accordingly. We shot from left to right.

The same thing again, but this time from right to left. Top before removing, bottom after removing the CAT SM2 Magnet Red Dot. We're not master marksmen, but the shots were similarly off-target, so we can say that yes, the Zero holds.

Conclusion

The CAT SM2 Magnet Red Dot does what it is supposed to do and provides a simple way to mount a red dot on your pistol. The sight picture is clear and has a good size. The biggest concern that the Zero would significantly shift after removal did not prove true. The Zero holds, even after removal. There may be deviations in precision shooting, but it is sufficient for defensive shooting at 20m.

We think the concept is well thought out, as it allows you to mount a normal-sized pistol red dot without having to mill anything. It can also be quickly removed, and the iron sights can be used in case of emergency.

The CAT SM2 Magnet Red Dot is available at JTI Trading for €525.